by Dennis Dalman
Speaking recently to the Sartell City Council, two city residents defended a fence by their property as a work of art and not a violation of a city ordinance.
Both spoke during an Open Forum session.
Ion Senchea, who lives at 925 10th Ave., said he has a natural fence along his back property line that he believes is a work of art, not an ordinance violation and thus should be allowed to stay there as part of the landscaping. He said for the city to force him to remove that fence would be a violation of his First Amendment rights.
Penny Goetz, who lives at that same address, told the council she, too, considers the so-called fence a work of art, which is located along the back property line of the property.
At a later council meeting, Sartell Mayor Ryan Fitzthum requested council guidance about how to respond to those property owners and encouraged them to work with city staff toward a resolution of the fence/work of art issue.
